What does transgender look like

Every major medical organization in the United States has affirmed that transition-related medical care is safe and effective, and that everyone who needs it should be able to access it.

Unfortunately, this critical care is often denied by insurance companies, often in spite of state and federal laws. For some transgender people, the difference between the gender they are thought to be at birth and the gender they know themselves to be can lead to serious emotional distress that affects their health and everyday lives if not addressed.

Gender dysphoria is the medical diagnosis for someone who experiences this distress. Not all transgender people have gender dysphoria. On its own, being transgender is not considered a medical condition. Many transgender people do not experience serious anxiety or stress associated with the difference between their gender identity and their gender of birth, and so may not have gender dysphoria.

That can include dressing and grooming in a way that reflects who one knows they are, using a different name or pronoun, and, for some, taking medical steps to physically change their body. It's important to remember that while being transgender is not in itself an illness, many transgender people need to deal with physical and mental health problems because of widespread discrimination and stigma.

Many transgender people live in a society that tells them that their deeply held identity is wrong or deviant. Some transgender people have lost their families, their jobs, their homes, and their support, and some experience harassment and even violence. Transgender children may experience rejection or even emotional or physical abuse at home, at school, or in their communities. These kinds of experiences can be challenging for anyone, and for some people, it can lead to anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental health conditions.

But these conditions are not caused by having a transgender identity: they're a result of the intolerance many transgender people have to deal with. Many transgender people — especially transgender people who are accepted and valued in their communities — are able to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Transgender people should be treated with the same dignity and respect as anyone else and be able to live, and be respected , according to their gender identity.

But transgender people often face serious discrimination and mistreatment at work, school, and in their families and communities. For statistics about these types of discrimination, go to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey page.

Living without fear of discrimination and violence and being supported and affirmed in being who they are is critical for allowing transgender people to live healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives.

In recent years, laws, policies and attitudes around the country have changed significantly, allowing more transgender people than ever to live fuller, safer, and healthier lives. The transgender movement is part of a long tradition of social justice movements of people working together to claim their civil rights and better opportunities in this country.

These challenges are connected. Discrimination that transgender people of color face is compounded by racism, and lower-income transgender people face economic challenges and classism. NCTE believes that progress towards transgender equality requires a social justice approach that fights all forms of discrimination. Skip to main content. Issues Resources. Frequently Asked Questions about Transgender People.

July 9, What does it mean to be transgender? How does someone know that they are transgender? Thought Exercise: Thinking About Your Own Gender It can be difficult for people who are not transgender to imagine what being transgender feels like. What's the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity? What's the difference between being transgender and being intersex? What is the difference between being transgender and being gender non-conforming?

What does it mean to have a gender that's not male or female? What does "gender transition" mean? What are some of the official records transgender people may change when they're transitioning? What medical treatments do some transgender people seek when transitioning?

Medical procedures can include: hair growth or removal treatments hormone therapy various surgeries to make one's face, chest, and anatomy more in line with one's gender identity While not everyone needs transition-related medical treatments, there is an overwhelming consensus in the medical community that they are medically necessary for many transgender people and should be covered by private and public insurance.

What is gender dysphoria? Before, I'd always win in a hand wrestle with my sister or girlfriend. Now, they'd probably beat me. The transition process was an "awkward phase" for Gwen, and she felt people were uncomfortable with her appearance. Gwen finally felt that she "passed" as a woman after a man made sexual advances on a train. For a split second, I was happy that a stranger had seen me as a woman for the first time.

Although one of her uncles refuses to speak to her since the transition, Gwen feels that most of her family has accepted her. Gwen also discussed her personal life, although she said most trans people preferred not to be asked intimate questions. Being trans is just a part of my medical history," Gwen told Reddit. Join the debate on our Facebook page.

The boy putting female puberty on hold. Is health service transgender friendly? US Trans Lifeline. This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. These are some of the questions she was asked. However, the complication rate is relatively high , especially in relation to urinary health. Therefore, it is important to work closely with a qualified plastic surgeon, urologist, gynecologist , and mental health professional to ensure the best outcome.

Learn about keyhole surgery, including the benefits, risks, and complications, as well as what to expect during surgery and how to prepare. A lymph node dissection is a surgical procedure to remove lymph nodes.

Learn more about the types and procedure here. Lung volume reduction surgery LVRS removes damaged tissue from the lungs so that they can work more effectively. Learn more here. Robotic-assisted surgery for lung cancer is a minimally invasive alternative to open chest surgery.

Learn more about the procedure, including the…. What to know about female-to-male surgery. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Surgery Recovery What to expect Outlook Female-to-male surgery is a type of sex reassignment surgery, which is also called gender affirmation surgery or gender-affirming surgery. Share on Pinterest A person may have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days following surgery. What to expect. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.

Related Coverage. What to know about keyhole surgery. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. What to know about lymph node dissections, or lymphadenectomies Medically reviewed by Lauren Castiello, RN. What is lung volume reduction surgery LVRS? Medically reviewed by Andrew Gonzalez, M.